Music Department Course Offerings - Shikellamy High School

(1 Credit)

This performing organization is open to students who have completed at least one year successfully in the middle school band program. Auditions may be required and all musicians will be in both the Marching and Concert organizations. Stage band, musical pit band and other ensembles are a voluntary part of the band program.

H370/H371 - Concert Band

(0.5 Credit - 2 Semesters Required)

The high school concert band class will provide students with in-depth knowledge of their instruments, other instruments, elements of music, proper fundamentals of breathing and posture, age-appropriate band literature, and rehearsal techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on developing musicianship and ensemble responsibility through performance in a variety of settings. The students will also become life-long learners of music and be able to enjoy it through-out their adult life.

H362 - CHOIR

(1 Credit)

The choir is a singing group of mixed voices including treble (high) and changed (lowered) voices. Students who sign up for the class will benefit from ensemble singing, proper vocalization, breathing exercises, and sight-singing practice. Attendance at performances is part of the grading process- students should plan to participate in required performances.

H363 - Chorus

(1 Credit)

The chorus is a unique singing group available to treble (high) voices only. Much liked mixed choir, students will benefit from ensemble singing, proper vocalization, breathing exercises, and sight-singing practice. Students will perform for school and community functions. Students will perform for school and community functions. Attendance at performances is part of the grading process- students should plan to participate in required performances.

H345 - Vocal Tech 1

(0.5 Credit)

This course is open to any student who wishes to improve their singing technique. The class emphasizes the proper elements of vocal production including specific exercises for improving range, overcoming self-consciousness, and proper vowel and consonant articulation. Art songs, folk songs, songs in other languages, and contemporary singing techniques will be focused on throughout the course.

H357 - MUSIC THEORY 1

(0.5 Credit)

This course is open to any student who wishes to learn to read music and study the “hows” and “whys” behind western music. Students will work partially in the piano lab. By the end of the course, students will be able to read and analyze basic musical pieces. This course is recommended for beginners or those who play by ear but would like to learn to read music.

H359 - HARMONY

(0.5 Credit)

This course is designed to accommodate the more experienced musician. The student should have had some formal instruction either in band, piano lessons, or Music Theory Class. Fundamental writings of key signatures, time signatures, chords, intervals, melodies, and chord progressions are drilled daily using both teacher and computer assisted methods. As skills develop, more advanced study of chord structure including 7th and 9th chords, inversions, rules for harmonic construction, and chord progressions will be introduced. Writing one's own composition will be a final project.

H369 - Guitar 1

(0.5 Credit)

This course is for anyone who wishes to learn how to play basic guitar. In this class students will study the parts of the guitar, and learn how to read both guitar tablature and music written on the staff. Students will learn correct hand positions and how to play basic chords and melodic lines accurately. (Music Theory is recommended along with this course; however, students who do not take Music Theory will be able to keep up).

H372 - Piano 1

(0.5 Credit)

This course is for anyone who wishes to learn how to play basic piano. Students will learn how to read music and a piano staff, how to navigate a five finger pattern through all key signatures, and how to perform rhythms accurately. By the end of this class students will be able to play two hand pieces and simple songs with chords and a melody. (Music Theory is recommended along with this course; however, students who do not take Music Theory will be able to keep up).

SHS Music Department Staff